Mayor's town hall forum gives southeast Stockton residents a voice

Thursday

Apr 23, 2009 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - It was 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when Mayor Ann Johnston arrived at the Maya Angelou Branch Library in southeast Stockton for her second town hall meeting since taking office in January, and about 20 people were waiting to ask questions or to complain.

David Siders

STOCKTON - It was 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when Mayor Ann Johnston arrived at the Maya Angelou Branch Library in southeast Stockton for her second town hall meeting since taking office in January, and about 20 people were waiting to ask questions or to complain.

She was shaking hands and saying, "Hi, I'm Ann," when she came to Joe Warren, who said, "I came to hammer you. Get ready."

Johnston laughed and said she was.

After outlining the dominant business at City Hall - a $31 million budget shortfall that is expected to require layoffs and service reductions citywide - the freshman mayor took questions.

Sadie Taylor, 74, had her hand up. "How many times have you been in this community?" she asked.

Johnston said she has been to the library itself several times, and Taylor asked what she saw in the neighborhood different from where Johnston lives, in north Stockton.

Johnston said she saw graffiti, weeds and fences, places that need code enforcement.

"Very good," Taylor said.

Taylor and others were bothered by traffic, the lack of retailers and what impact the anticipated layoff of dozens of police officers might have on their neighborhood, the kind of concerns raised when Johnston had her first town hall, last month in north Stockton.

But on Wednesday there was abundant talk, too, about racism and disparity between the city's north and south sides.

Warren, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors in 2004, said, "Nothing has been done on the south side of town."

Johnston and Councilwoman Susan Eggman mentioned the city's recent construction of a community center and improvement of Airport Way. The city intends to move a fire station to clear land for what it believes could be a commercial hub at Airport Way and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

But some projects have been slow coming, and they said the city is doing what it can.

At the end of the meeting, Johnston said, "We really appreciate you sharing your frustrations, your concerns with us."

Taylor said, "We would like to thank you, too, mayor," and there was some applause.

Mary Martinez, who was upset about one road in disrepair and another frequented by speeding cars, asked Johnston if she could show them to her. They left the parking lot together in Johnston's Toyota Sequoia, headed over for a look.

Contact reporter David Siders at (209) 943-8580 or dsiders @recordnet.com.